Golf ball recoating



May 11, 1937. Y M'. F.HoLT ET AL, 2,079,615

GOLF BALL RECOATlNG 'Filed Aug. 1. '1935 8 sheets-sheet 2 M. F. HoLT ET AL GOLF BALL BECOMING May 1`1, 1937.

8 Sheets-Shet 4 Filed Aug. l, 1935 ////,7/////// V///////// \V/ @MSN L NN .w v a w. s

PDP 1111 MAYNARD E /lLT ATTORNEY May 11, 1937 M. F. HoLT x-:T Al.

GOLF BALL RECOATING Find Aug.4 1, 1955 8 sheets-sheet 5 May 11, 1937.

M. F. HOLT ET AL GOLF BALL REGOATING Filed Aug. l, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS MAYMRD F. HOLT $/GMUNO N- L/PDWSK/ BY Ar'oRNEY' May 11, 1937. M. F. HOLT ET AL 2,079,615'

GOLF .BALL RECOATING Filed Aug. l, 1935 8 Sheets-Shea?l 7 INVENTORS MAYNARD F. ifa/.7 SIGMl/N N. LIPOWSK" ATTORNEY 7 M. F. HOLT ET AL GOLF BALL RECOATING' lFiled Aug. 1, 1935 May ll, 1937.

8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS MAYA/ARD F. 'LT SGMUND N. LPOWSK/ ATTORNEY l Patented May 11, 1.937

GOLF BALL RECOATING Maynard F. Holt, Rye, and Sigmund N. Lipowski. New York, N. Y.; said Lipowski assignor to said Holt l v Application August 1, 1935, Serial No. 34,124

35 Claims.

The present application is a continuation in part of our copending applicationsSerial Number 654,188, led January 30, 1933, and Serial Number 683,986, filed August '1, 1933. There-v fore certain subject matter found in those applications is also present in this application together with a number of improvements.

The series of patent applications and corresponding inventions above referred to relates primarily to a method and apparatus for recoating used golf balls. New golf balls rapidly lose their white brilliance in use and take on a dirty gray or non-descript appearance which makes it difficult to distinguish the balls from the area into which they may be driven.

The invention in question includes the concept of providing at the golf links a novel method and automatic means of restoring to used golf balls a recoating or new surface which restores them to the same appearance possessed by a new ball.

The present invention is the rst commercially successful embodiment of method and means for recoating used golf balls whereby an old ball may be dropped into the machine of the invention and emerge (after a time interval that may be as short as of the order of 3A to 2 minutes) with a brilliant, hard, tough, dry coating'ready for instant use. The invention appears to blaze a new trail in this particular field. I

The problems overcome in successfully reducing the concept to practice are quite different from those connected with the manufacturer of new balls in a factory and the coating thereof.

First the machine and method is one operated by golfers, that is, the public, at golf links and not by skilled workmen in a factory and therefore must be substantially foolproof and automatic. of delivering a coatedball in a condition ready for use in a minimum space'of time, for example two minutes. 'Ihis is one of the chief problems. The coating material is a lacquer or varnish containing volatile solvents. In a factory, dipped and coated balls can be set aside to dry. Not so in dealing with the public at a golf links.- From the time the ball is delivered to the machine'until it emerges therefrom is required to be a matter of a few minutes, the fewer the better, and in this short interval the ball must be thoroughly coated and dried ready for immediate use. Even with the quickest drying lacquers available and suitable for the purpose, the problem exists. It is a problem of method and mechanism.' solved by the present invention.

Extremely complicated mechanism and method Secondly, it must be rapid and capable would defeat its purpose because it would be too expensive to make, maintain and service and would be prone to get out of order. One of the problems has therefore been to devise a principle of operation permitting simple structure and mode of operation. In this connection it has also been necessary to keep the machine compact and small. The relatively large volume or space occupied by a machine that might be satisfactory in a factory would be out of the question.

It is an object of the present invention, and those embodied in our copending applications. above identified, to solve the problems above mentioned. Other objects will appear from the more detailed description appearing below and the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification. i

According to the method forming a part of the present invention, the ball may be submitted to a series of operations, as follows. First the ball is immersed in a suitable quick drying lacquer. (This may be a nitro cellulose lacquer including nitro cellulose, solvents and pigments. Since quick drying lacquers are known to the art and since the present invention is not for the lacquer but for the method and apparatus of applying it, the lacquer will not be further described.) Secondly, the ball is raised out of the lacquer in an upward movement. This movement is however interrupted and' the ball is held at a predetermined station to permit excess lacquer to drain off. This interruption of the upward movement cooperates with subsequent steps to permit delivering a completely dried ballin a time interval of say two minutes. Thirdly, 'the upward movement of the ballmay be continued to another predetermined station. Here it is slowly inverted, i. e. turned upside down. 'A During the draining operation above mentioned, the lacquer in draining off .tends to concentrateat the bottom. The upside-down movement or inversion causes uniform distribution. Fourthly, the ball (with excess iacquer drained oilE and the coating evenly distributed)` is submitted to a drying operation which may comprise a rapid spinning to induce evaporation. Drainng, in cooperation with subsequent spinning, substantially reduces the time necessary to produce a dry ball. Spinning alone, of a ball containingexcess lacquer on 'the surface, would eventuallyproduce drying but would extend the time and also cause difliculty by throwing oi particles of lacquer by centrifugal action. This is prevented and the time of drying substantially reduced by the draining step herein described.

Draining alonewould be ineffective. The comrbination of draining followed by rapid drying by evaporation, e. g. by spinning, is effective in accomplishing one of the objects of the present invention.

The above method and principles illustrated thereby can be carried out in a number of different mechanisms. The accompanying drawings show one of such mechanisms. for purposes of illustrating the basic principles and not for purposes of limitation to all the details indicated. The invention will be defined in the claims properly interpreted in the light of the specification and drawings in which: y

Figure 1 is a general or assembly elevational view looking in the direction of arrow I of Figure Figure 2 is a general plan view;

Figure 3 is an elevation looking in the direction y sociated therewith;

Figure 7 is a detail of certain parts of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detail view of the coin control mechanism; Y

Figures 9 and 10 are plan views showing mechanism for eecting certain stages of movement of the ball after it has been dipped and drained;

Figures 11 to 14 illustrate cam means for operating the mechanism shown in Figures 9 and 10; 'and Figures 15 to 18 (and Figure 5) show mechanism for cooperating with that shown in the other figures, e. g. with that shown in Figures 9 and 10, for effecting the dipping, draining, inversion and spinning operations referred to as a part of the method.l

As set forth in our application Serial Number 683,986, led August 7, 1933, the invention comprises a conveyor arm having an article supporting portion mounted for movement in a vertical plane, article delivering mechanism having an article delivery opening containing the plane of movement of the conveyor arm, a. lacquer container positioned to contain the plane of movement oi the conveyor arm, means for operating the conveyor arm between a position in which' the article supporting portion is directly beneath the delivery opening of the article delivery mechanism and a position in which the article supporting portion is wholly Within the lacquer container, and means for distributing and drying the lacquer on an article comprising a pair of pivotally mounted levers slidably mounted for conjoint movement transversely to the path of movement of the conveyor arm, gripping jaws rotatably mounted on said levers, means for moving the gripping jaws transversely-to the path of movement of the conveyor arm, means for causing the jaws to contract and grip an article supported by the, conveyor, and means for rotating the gripping jaws in one extreme position of their movement transversely to the path of movement of the conveyor arm.

Thus the subject matter common to this application and Serial Number 683,986 comprises (1) a conveyor arm having an article supporting end portion; (2) article delivery mechanism; (3) a lacquer container; `(4) means for operating the conveyor arm; and (5) means for distributing and drying the lacquer, all operatively arranged4 as above and hereinafter set forth.

These several elements or means may be operated by suitable cams on a central cam shaft I actuated by motor 2 through the train of mechanism including pulleys 3 and 4, shaft 5, worm 6, gear 1, pinion 8 and gear 9. Shaft I is journalled in bearings I0 and II mounted on brackets I2 and I3. i The conveyor arm I4 is actuated by disk I5 througha train of mechanism including the sliding block I6, link II, rocker arm I8, link I9, crank 2l), and shaft Y2I, the latter being journalled in bearings 2IA formed in the upper part ofv lacquer container 22.

The article delivering mechanism is substantially as set forth in our copending applications Serial Numbers 654,188 and 683,986, and comprises'the disk 23 with ball pockets 24. It is likewise operated from central shaft I by the cooperation of two cams 25 and 26 and associated mechanism. Cam 25 effects partial movement of disk 23 through mechanism including lever 21, link 28, link 28A, crank 30, link 3l, link 32, bar 33 'and pawl- 34. The other cam 26 completes the I4 when it is in the highest position indicated in Figure 4. This position is however also that occupied (at a previous time) by a ball which has been dipped and drained and is ready to be treated to distribute and dry the lacquer. I'herefore the mechanism for distributing the lacquer and drying it is so constructedand arranged that it removes a ball (which has been coated and drained) from the ball supporting end portion of the conveyor arm when the latter is in the highest position shown in Figure 4 and moves the coated ball out of -the path of a succeeding ball.

The mechanism for accomplishing this may be termed the means for distributing and drying the lacquer and is shown in plan in Figures 9 and 10 and in elevation in Fig. 4. This mechanism is likewise operated from shaft I through cam 50,

the successive movements of which are shown in Figures 11 to 14.

Thus some of the more important movements are brought about by the cams 25, 26 and 56 and disk I5 secured on central shaft I.

coating and drying the bau and 15 to 19 is made to trace the cycle of operation including the dipping, draining and drying of the ball. Rocker arm I8 is pivoted on shaft 54 journalled in bearing 55 supported by bracket 56. The rocker arm I8' is thereby pivoted-at a point intermediate the ends thereof, one end being pivotally connected to link I9 which is connected to crank 20, the other end of link I8 being pivotally connected to link I1 which is pivotallyA mounted on sliding block I6. Block I6, in turn, ls slidably mounted for movement in a substantially vertical plane on the lever 51; the latter being provided with a spring 51a. Lever 51 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 58 journalled in the bearing 59 so that lever 51 is adapted to oscillate in a vertical plane. When the disk rotates counter-clockwise, the lugs 52 and 53 respectively engage arcuate shoulder 6I) of the sliding block I6 and depress the latter thereby forcing downwardly the link |1 and the end of the rocker arm I8 pivotally secured thereto. This movement forces upwardly the end of the rocker arm pivotally secured to the link I9 and causes an upward movement of the bell crank secured to the shaft 2| mounted Within the housing 18 in the upper portion of the lacquer container. Since the fulcrum 54 of the rocker arm I8 is nearer one end than the other, depression of the end connected to link 'I1 through a given distance causes elevation of the other end through a greater distance determined by the respective radii or arms I8a and |811. A hub 1| is keyed or sion of the sliding block I6 therefore causes upward movement of the conveyor arm I4 with its ball supporting end portion 5I. .The configuration of the shoulder on the sliding block I6 and of the lugs 52 and 53 is such that the latter not only force down the sliding block I6 but also cause it to move to the left and out of engagement with the lugs. When the sliding block is disengaged by the counter-clockwise motion of a lug,` the end of the rocker arm I8 connected to the link I9 has a tendency rapidly to move downwardly because, except as hereinafter noted, it would then be free to move downwardly in a vertical plane and the weight of the train of mechanism at the end connected to the link I9 is greater than that of the mechanism at `the end 4-for oscillation in a substantially vertical plane.

It is provided with notches 82 and 83 which cooperate with a pin 84 on the rocker arm I8. Downward motion of the end of the rocker arm I8 connected to the link I1 causes the pin to engage in each of these notches successively. As,'

sume that the lug 52 has forced down the sliding block I6 and thereby caused the pin 84 to engage with the notch 82 as shown in Figure 18. The position of the ball conveyor arm I4 and the ball is then shown as indicated by numeral 88 in Figure 5 and in that position the ball is adapted to drain off excess lacquer, it being assumed that the ball has previously been dipped and raised into that position. The height to which the b'all conveyor end portion 5I is raised is determined by the lengths of the respective arms or radii I8a and I8b on rocker arm |8 and the arc through which lug 52 forces the end of the rocker arm connected to link I1. The ball then remains in the positionl mentioned for a predetermined interval of time determined by the angular dislink I1 and the pin 84 is then engaged with the.

second or lower notch. 83 on the'lever 80. Fig` ure 15 shows the position of the sliding block I8 just after-the lug 53 has engaged the latter and thereby forced the pin 84 into the second or lower notch. 83. This moves the ball conveyor arm with its ball supporting end portion 5I and the ball up into the highest position 89 shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 4. It remains in this position long enough tohave the coated ball removed from the prongs 13 by the distributing and drying mechanism and to permit a succeeding ball to drop onto the prongs 13 from the article delivery mechanism including the rotatably mounted disk 23 and the subjacent ball delivery chute 90 (see Figure 5). The length of time referred to is determined by the arrangement and configuration of the cam 9| which, as shown in Figure 16, engages the cam follower 92 on the lever 80, forces the lever 88 against the tension of the spring 93 connected to the pin 94 on the bracket 56 and thereby releases the pin 84 from engagement with the lower notch 83 on said lever. Figure 1'1 shows the position of the sliding block I6, lever 88, and rocker arm I8 just after the pin 84 has been released by the action of the c am 9|. The rocker arm I8 is then, under the conjoint action of the weight 14 and the spring 16, caused to move rapidly downward in the direction of the arrow 95 shown in Fig. 5 (near the cord 15 from which the weight 14 is suspended). This rapid downward movement causes the ball conveyor arm end portion 5I with the ball` thereon to be rapidly immersed in the lacquer as shown in Figure 4, the height'of the lacquer surface being indicated by numeral 98. The time of immersion is again determined by the angular' distance between the lugs 52'and 53 and the speed of rotation of the Y shaft I, since rotation of the disk I5 and the lug 52 brings that lug into engagementwith the sliding block I6, depresses the latter, elevates the conveyor arm I4 and thereby causes the pin 84 to become engaged with the notch 82. Thereupon the ball is raised out of the lacquer into a position where excess lacquer drains off as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 18.

The lugs 52 and 53 on d isk I5 thus provide a pair of elements angularly spaced in respect to each other about the common axis I, these elements being mounted to rotate counterclockwise i in a vertical plane and being adapted to successively engage the sliding block I6 to successively depress the corresponding portion of rocker arm I8 and thus successively raise the ball conveyor end portion 5I of conveyor arm I4 into its respective positions. As shown in the drawings, the lugs 52 and 53 are spaced radially aswell as angularly, th'e radius of 53 being longer .than that of 52. Thus lug 53 travels through a wider arc (for a given angular rotation) than lug 52.

The overhanging arm 6| serves to prevent the sliding block I6 from falling too far to the right. The end of this arm rides on the edge of disk I5 and keeps the block I6 ata position to engage the lugs 52 and 53. The arm 6I also helps in disengaging the lug 53 by riding over the high' portion 62 of disk I5.

A stop or brake is provided to prevent too rapid the end portion 5I from falling too far into the descent of the conveyor arm I4 and to prevent of screw 226. The extent to which the plungerv 22| falls is controlled by the tension of the ball 224 against the orifice of the flange 223 and this is controlled by the screw 226. Figure 4 clearly shows the three substantially vertically spaced positions occupied by the ball. The lowest position 99 is that where the ball is immersed, the highest 89 is that where the coated ball is removed from the prongs 'I3 and a fresh ball delivered thereto. The intermediate position 88 is that where the upward movement of the coated ball is interrupted for a predetermined length of time to permit draining off of excess lacquer. In the operation just described all the successive movements of the ball are caused by the disk I5 and its associated lugs.

It will be noted that the shaft 2| carrying the hub '|I and radial arm I2 is mounted above the surface of the lacquer, the only communication of the lacquer with the atmosphere being through the arcuate spout provided with the cover 'I'his is a peculiar structure but it provides a substantially up and down movement of the -ball in a vertical' plane on the ball conveyor end portion I even though the point of application of the force for the movementv is at the shaft 2| mounted above the surface of the lacquer. This construction eliminates the necessity of having any moving part extending through the wall of the lacquer container below the surface of the lacquer and thus prevents trouble due to leakage and evaporation of lacquer and fouling or gumming of bearings. The cover III is arranged to operate,` that is to open and close, in consonance with the'movement of the' ball conveyor arm I4, the opening of the cover being only for a short interval of time to permit the coated ball'to be raised into the highest position 89 shown in Figure 4 where it is removed, a succeeding ball to be delivered to the prongs 13 on the conveyor arm I4 and to permit the latter to rapidly descend for purposes ofimmerslng Athe ball in the lacquer. Thus evaporation of the lacquer is minimized. Furthermore, as already stated, the particular construction of the ball conveyor arm I4 and radial arm 12 and their mounting provide that the former operate entirely within the lacquer,container 22. Therefore, even though the parts thereof may become entirely coated with lacquer, there is substantlally no evaporation with its consequent accumulation of heavy, gummy deposits. The arcuate arm I4 and the radial arm I2 move'in a vertical plane contained in the lacquer container 22. This plane is midway between the sides I |2- and ||3 of the lacquer container and said plane is also contained in the ball delivery opening of the ball delivering mechanism including disk 23 and chute 90 in the same manner as set forth in application Serial Number 683,986. It is necessary to prevent sedimentation of the solids contained in the lacquer and for that purpose an agitator is provided to stir up the contents of the lacquer container 22. This will be more fully hereinafter described.

Reference to Figures 6, 8 and 10 show how the cover for the arcuate spout I I0 of the lacquer container is operated in consonance with the ball conveyor 5I. The cover (see Figures 6, '7, 9, 10) comprises a circular portion ||4 and an extendvided with spring |20a' which lever in turn is pivotally mounted at the base thereof by meansl of the pin I2I for oscillation in a substantially vertical plane. Oscillation is caused by the cam |22 secured on main shaft I, in cooperation with cam follower I 30'. Reciprocation of the bar II9 causes oscillation of the cover in consonance with the movement of the ball conveyor I4, the ball delivery mechanism and the mechanism for distributing and drying the lacquer, this consonance being brought about by disk I5 and cams 25, 26 and 50 and associated mechanism.

Figure '7 shows a detail of the cover. It comprises the portion |I4 and a lower portion |40 held in spaced relation thereto by springs I4I mounted on screws |42. Thus the part |46 is pressed against the orifice of the lacquer container and evaporation guarded against. 5.

Thus, as in copending application, Serial Number 654,188, the invention comprises a combination of a lacquer container, a movable cover for the lacquer container, a conveyor arm for supporting the article to be lacquered, means for delivering an article onto the conveyor, means for moving the conveyor substantially vertically in a plane containing the lacquer container to immerse the article in the lacquer and remove the article from the lacquer, means for moving the cover of the lacquer container, to open the lacquer container, and means for coordinating the lacquer container cover moving means and the means for effecting relative vertical movement between the conveyor and the lacquer container.

Distribution and drying of lacquer y dry ball ready for use. The mechanism involved has been described in our copending application, Serial Number 683,986 and the description there' of andof the method aspects of the invention will be describedtogether with the improvementsof the present application. Y

Reference should be had more especially to Figures 1, 4, and 9 to 14inclusive. One of the more important elements of this mechanism is the cam 50 shown clearly and in various positions in Figures 11 to 14. -Cam 50 is mounted on central shaft I and cooperates with the lever |50 rotatably mounted on the shaft I5| at the base thereof for oscillation in a substantially vertical plane. The lever |50 is provided with a spective links |6I which in turn are secured at their respective ends to the bifurcated member |53. The levers |56 are pivotally mounted by means of said pins |66 upon a plate |62 which is in turn slidably mounted in grooves to slide on a bed .plate |63 for reciprocating movement in a horizontal plane. The bed plate |63 is a transverse partition supported by vertical standards or brackets |63a and I 63h. A guide |64 keeps the bifurcated member properly centered. 'Ihe guide slides in a hole in the strap |65. The end of the levers |56 opposite theA bifurcated member |53 areprovided with bearings |10 carrying rotatably which may simultaneously be one of. translation and oscillation in a horizontal plane said plane being positioned intermediate between the ball delivery mechanism (including. the rotatably mounted disk 23 and delivery chute 90) and the opening of the spout of the lacquer container 22 with its cover., The movement ofthe jaws or levers |56 and-the coordination of this movement with that of the ball conveyor the cover and the ball delivery mechanism may be 'readily followed by reference to Figures 1, 9, 10 and 11 to 14 inclusive, as well as Figures.4 and 5. Figure 4 shows the position of the ball at its highest point 89 after it has been dipped and permitted to drain. At this point the jaws .or prongs |14 grip the ball and the position'of the cam 50 for this purpose is-illustrated in Figure 11. The nextmovement of the cam 50 causes the cam follower |11 to ride overthe portion |80 and the ball moves to the right as Vshown in Figure 12, thereby accomplishing two objects.

Inthe first' place, the coated ball is removed out of the path through which a succeeding ball must drop, the succeeding ball being shown in position 4 |8| by dot-dash lines in Figure l2. Attention is directed tothe reentrant portion |82 providing a space through which a succeeding ball can drop from the ball delivery mechanismincluding the chute 90, onto the prongs 13 as shown 'in Figure 12. In the second place, during this transverse movement of the coated ball to the right, it is subjected to an inverting operation, that is-it is y bar or rail |84'secured to the upright by screws -as shown more specifically in- Figure 1.

After the inversion is completed the ball remains station'ary for a.few seconds. The next movement of the ball to the right is caused by the cam follower riding over the portion |85 of the cam 50 v which bringsV the cam follower |11 into engagement with the concentric portion |86 of said cam 50 thus stopping translatory movement.

. This further movement of the ball to the right brings the pulley i 81 into engagement with the wheel |88 and causes the pulley |81 to be rapidly rotated in order to bring about rapid drying.

Figure 13 shows the cam follower |11vin engage-- ment with the circular portion |86 of the cam 50 and the pulley` |81 in engagement with the periphery of the wheel |88. The wheel |88 carries a, pulley |89 connected by a belt |90 to the pinion'|9| rotated by the worm gear |92 se- It wur be noted that the levers |56 haye a movement cured on shaft 5 which in turn is journalled in bearings |93 carried by brackets secured to the partition |95. So far as translatory motion is concerned, the. ballremains in a-stationary position and is rapidly rotated during the time the cam follower |11 is engaged with the concentric portion |86 of the cam 50 as shown in Figure 13. Thereafter the cam follower |11 rides over the portion |96 of the cam 50 and the ball undergoes aV slight further movement to the right which brings the ball slightly beyond, that is slightly to the right of, the position where it is dropped. Immediately thereafter the cam follower |11 rides over the portion |91 of the cam 50 and a rapid movement of the levers to the left accompanied by opening of the jaws follows whereupon the ball, dried and ready for use drops upon the runway |98 as shown in Figures ,1, 2 and 3 exactly in the middle of that runway. The run way |98 is an inclined track and delivers the ball to the pocket24l. the position shown in Figure 14, the hub |15 rides up on the raised portion |99 of the bar |84 which thus acts as a brake and stopsthe spinning so that the ball is no longer spinning as it drops on the runway |98. i

In combination with the spinning, drying may be further hastened'by directing' a stream of air -on the ball as set forth in our copending applications above identified.

The wheel |88 for spinning the ball is mounted on a shaft 200 carrying a pulley 20| connected by a belt 202 to a pulley 203 mounted on a shaft 204 journalled in a bearing 205. Rotation of the wheel 203, the crank 206, and the link 201 causes oscillation of the crank 208 which in turn oscillates the shaft 204a which carries the paddles 2| the oscillation of which during the operation of the machine keeps the lacquer agitated and preventssedimentation.

The lacquer contains highly volatile solvents and carries pigments suspended therein. It is necessary not only to keep the solids uniformly suspended but also to preserve the proper viscosity of lacquer by maintaining a proper proportion of solvents. -Two cooperating things are necessary to accomplish the above results. (1) Proper concentration of solvents is maintained by the construction of the lacquer container, the only opening being the end of spout ll-'closed Just before the ball reachestoA dry it by its cover, and (2) uniform suspension `of plgments is maintained by operation of the paddles2||. v i... ,U

Delivery of the bllpriov' to dipping, draining and drying' The mechanism for accomplishing this operaveyor of the lacquering means, and control means for said delivery means including several control elements, each operative to effect partial operation of the delivery means, means for effecting successive operation of said control elements, and

v=""ineans for actuating one of said control elements in accordance with the operation of the article conveyor.

The article delivery means includes the rotatably' mounted disk 23 and the delivery chute 90 shown in several figures including Figures l, 2, 3, 4 and 5. 'I'he disk 23 is rotatably mounted by means of a. pin or shaft 230 on the plate |63c supported on brackets or standards |63a and |631, and carries six circular holes 24 extending therethrough, the angulardistance between the centers of successive holes being sixty degrees. 'I'he plate |630 contains a single aperture, .the diameter of which is the same as the diameter of an aperture in the disk 23 and before a ball can pass into the chute 90 an aperture 24 in the block or disk 23 must be brought into register with said aperture through the plate |630. Movement 0f the disk is counter-clockwise and is effected in two successive stages, each of which causes the disk 23 to rotate through an angle of 30. Delivery of a ball to the machine occursv through the hopper 23| the opening of which on the interior of the casing, is in register with a hole 24A in the disk 23 the center of which is out of register with the center of the said hole in the plate I63c (and also the center of the chute 90) by an angle of 60. Movement of the disk 23 through an angle of 30 is caused by translatory movement of the bar 33 carrying the pawl 34 and the leaf 'spring 39. The bar 31 carrying the pawl 38 and leaf spring 40 then moves the disk 23 through the remaining 30 whereupon the center of the ball pocket 24 registers with the opening through the plate |630 and the ball drops onto the prongs 13 as shown in Figure 12. The disk 23 is therefore moved through successive operation of the control elements including the bars 33 and 31, the operation of which will now be described. 0peration of the bar 33 ls effected through counterclockwise rotation of the cam in association with a train of mechanism including the lever 21 mounted pivotally at its base, links 28 and 28A,

crank. 30, link 3| and bracket.32. When the cam Y follower 21A rides over the high portion of the cam 25, links 28 and 28A are moved to the left thereby oscillating the crank which in turn pulls the link 3|, bracket 32 and bar 33 to the right a distance sumcient to rotate the disk 23 through an angle of 30. The ratchets` 4| on the disk 23 are so arranged that this movement brings the pawl 38 into engagement with the ratchet MA and movement of the pawl 38 on the bar 31 causes the disk 23 to be rotatedthrough the remaining 30" sufhcient to'bring the ball pocket into register withthe' opening through the plate |63c to cause the ball to drop into the chute 90. Movement of the -bar 31 iseifected by a train of mechanism (see Figure 4) including the bracket 42, link 36, lever 35, cam follower 43,A and cam 26, the lever being provided with spring 35A and being pivotally mounted at its base by means of pin 44 for oscillation in a substantially vertical plane. Figure 3 shows cam 25 about to move the lever 21 to the left. Figure 4 shows cam 26 with the high portion disposed angularly with respect to the high portion of cam 25 so that movement of lever 35 will followr movement of lever 21 to cause successive movements 'of disc 23 through successive angles of 30 each.

Operation of the ball delivery disk, magazine, or turret -23 is coordinated with movement of the conveyor |4 so that a ball is dropped onto the prongs 13 when the ball conveying end portion 5| carrying prongs 13 is in the highest position 89 shown in Figure 4. This coordination includes the arrangement of. cams 25 and 26 and disk I5 with its lugs.

Thus, as described in our copending applications the article delivery means includes a rotatably mounted disk having anv opening therethrough adapted to receive an article to be lacquered, a plate subjacent thereto having an article receiving opening therethrough and a superlying hopper having an article delivery opening angularly spaced about the disk in respect to the receiving opening in the plate, and operati'ng means for the disk comprising a pair of elements, means for actuating one of the elements to rotate the disk from a point in which the opening therethrough registers with the delivery opening in the hopper to a point intermediate the delivery opening of the hopper and the opening through said subjacent plate, means for actuating the other element to move the disk to a posi.- tion in which the opening therethrough registers with the opening through the subjacent plate, and means for coordinating the action of said last mentioned element with the operation of the lacquering means. v

The sequence of operations may be illustrated as follows, reference being had to the several figures, more particularly Figures 2, 4, 5, l1 to i4 and 15 to 18. Let it be assumed that the ball is in the pocket 24A and the ball conveyor end portion 5| is in the intermediate position shown Vin full lines invFigure 4. The pin 84 is then in engagement with the notch 82 (see Figures 5 and 18). Operation of the machine then results in advancement of the ball through two successive angles of 30 each to a position Where the ball pocket 24A is immediately above the opening in-the plate |63c registering with the chute 90.

, This operation may require a time interval of the order of ten' seconds. In the meantime the ball conveyor end portion 5| is raised to the position 240 (see Figure 4) by-means of lug 53 on disk I5 which has advanced from the position shown in Figure 18 to that shown in Figure l5, and by depressing the sliding block I6, has moved conveyor arm |8 into a position where pin 84 engages notch 83. The ball conveyor end portion, thenA in the position indicated by the number 240 in Figure 4, receives the ball as it drops. The end portion 240 carrying the ball then rapidly descends by the action of the weight'14 and the spring 16 (see Figures 1 and 5 respectively) acting on the conveyor armv |8, the lever 80 having been released by the action of the cam 9|. Figures 16 and 1'7 show the lever \80 being released or tripped. Rapid descent of the ball into the lacquer for dipping is controlled by the link 220 (see Figure 5) carrying the plunger 22| (see Figure l) which operates in dash pot 222. The ball descends to the position 99 shown in Figure 4. In the meantime lug 52 on disk I5 (see Figure l'li has advanced to where it again engages sliding block i6 depressing the latter and forcing pin 84 into notch 82 vthereby raising ball conveyor end portion 5| into the intermediate position shown in full lines indicated by the numeral 24o in Figure 4 until' pllIDOSe.

are delivered thereto.

The time it takes the ball conveyor end portion 5| to pass from the position indicated by the numeral 24D in Figure 4, down into the lacquer and back again into the same position may be of the order of forty-five seconds. The time elapsed from the delivery of the ball to the hopper 23| until it emerges into the receiver 24| at the end of the runway |98, may be regulated and at the present time the practice is to fix this period at about two minutes. The ball h is thoroughly dry and free from tackiness when it is deliveredinto the receiver 24|. It is substantially dry when it is dropped from the prongs |14 onto the runway |98. Some further drying may occur as the ball rolls down the inclined runway. The following periods of time may be noted as examples of the exceedingly rapid action of the machine with a speed of rotation f main shaft of one revolution per 45 seconds: advancement of a ball from hopper 23| to chute 90, 10 seconds; dipping and draining, 45 seconds; inversion and spinning, 45 seconds, tota1, 1 minute and seconds. When a succession of balls is delivered to the machine, la coated ball is dispensed every seconds.

The starting and stopping of the machine may be automatically controlled by a coin control mechanism so that one, two, or more balls may be coated by the delivery of a coin, for example, anickel, to the machine. This control mechanism will now be described, reference being had more especially to Figures 1, 3 and 8 for this nickel, is dropped into the slot 250, it trips a lever 25| pivoted on spindle 25|b thereby closing an electric circuit in series with the motor 2 by means of contacts 252 and 253, the latter being supported on the arm 254 extending from the lever 25|. the lower edge 256 of a groove in the bracket 251 (see Figures 3 and 8). In this groove there is slidably mounted a bar 258 pivotally connected to the link 28. Movement of the link 28 to the left causes a slight movement of the bar 258 and this movementcauses the coin 2,55 'to drop through the chute 259 into the coin receptacle 260. A pin.26| on theA bar 258 is connected to the link 28A which is pivotally connected atl the other end to the link 30 for actuating the bar 33 and -the ball mechanism 23. Operation of the machine continues until the contacts 252 and 253 are again broken. Figure 8 shows the position of the coin control mechanism just after thecircuit has been closed. The circuit continues to be closed until the pin 262 on `the wheel 263 -rotatably mounted on shaft 263a comes into engagement with the end 264 of the lever 265 carrying at one end a pin l266 which supports the lever 25|. Engagement of the pin 262 with the end 264 of the lever 265 moves the upper end carrying the pin 266 to the right a distance sufficient to release the lever 25| which then moves downwardly by means of spring 25Ia, thus breaking the electrical circuit by causing a sepa- When a suitable coin. for example, a.

'Ihe coin 255 comes to rest against` ration of the contacts 252 and 253. The lever 265 is pivotally mounted on a bracket 261 by means of spindle 268. Movement of the wheel 263 is caused by cam 21|Jcarried on the main shaft operating in cooperation with cam follower 21|, carried on the link or fork 212 provided with spring 213. The lever or fork 212 is pivotally connected to a crank 214 carrying av pawl 215 which engages with ratchet wheel 216.

Rotation of the cam 210 causes successive advancement of the wheel 263 to which the ratchet 216 is secured and when this'advancement is sufiicient to bring a pin on the vwheel 263 into engagement with the end 264 of the lever 265,

the circuit is broken as above explained and: the machine stops operation. There may be one or more pins 262 on the Wheel 263 spaced apart and at distances such that the machine will come to rest'when one or` more balls have been delivered to the machine and coated for a single coin. Lacquer container 22 is provided with a filling openinghaving a closure 300 preferably carrying a safety blow-olf valve therein.

A general assembly view of the machine is shown in Figure 1 which shows most of the parts thereof being supported upon a transverse partition ina casing 286. The latter may be provided with windows 28| so that the operation of the machine may be viewed by those using it.

The preferred embodiments of the method and -apparatus of the invention have herein ybeen described in detail but the inventionwill be dened by the claims and the scope thereof is intended to be as broad as permitted by the prior art.

We-claim: l. The method of recoating used golf balls which comprises immersing the ball beneath the surface of a pool of coating liquid, raising the ball to a predetermined position above said surface, maintaining the ball Vat that position a predetermined period. of time to permit draining off of excess coating liquid. whereby liquid accumulates near the bottom of the ball, inverting the ball to cause even distribution of liquid thereon and thereafter rapidly rotating the ball to cause drying of the coating thereon.

2. In a machinefor recoating used golf balls by" a dipping operation the combination of a container adapted to hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion through a predetermined path lin a vertical plane from a rst position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the va container to a third position Where it is above said surface; and means to interrupt. the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said end portion for a predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above ,mentionedy first andthird positions to permit draining of lacquer fromsald ball.

3. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping operation the combination of -a container adapted to hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion through a predetermined path in a vertical plane from a rst position where it is beneath the .surface of the lacquer in the container to a thir-d position where it is above said surface; and means to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion 'for a predetermined` period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned first and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball; the said means to move lthe ball-conveying end portion into the said respective positions comprising a pair of elements angularly spaced about a common axis and Apair of angularly spaced elements.

4. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping operation the combination of a container adaptedto hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion through a predetermined path in a vertical plane from a rst position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface; means to interrupt the movementof said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion for a predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned first and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball; and means to return said conveyor arm end portion from said third position to said flrst position the said several means comprising a rocker arm pivotally mounted at a point intermediate the ends thereof for oscillation in a vertical plane, a substantially vertical lever having vertically spaced notches, means connecting one end of the rocker arm to the conveyor arm, means to engage the other end of the rocker arm successively with a respective notch on the vertical lever to hold the rocker arm and ball conveyor arm in said respective third and second positions for predetermined intervals, and means to release the rocker arm from engagement with said vertical lever to return said ball conveyor end portion from said second position to said first position.

5. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping operation the combination of a container adapted to hold Coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion vthrough a predetermined path in a vertical plane from a nrst position where it is beneaththe surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position Where it is above said surface; means to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion for a predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned rst and second positions to permit draining of lacquerirqm said ball; and means to invert said ball to cause distribution of coating liquid thereon.

6. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping operation the combination of a container adapted to hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion through a predetermined rst path in a vertical plane from a first position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface; means to interrupt the movement of said end portion through -said path and to' maintain said portion fora predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned first and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball; means to move the ball from said third position to a fourth by a dipping operation the combination of a container adapted to'hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having avball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion through a predetermined first path in a vertical plane from arst position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface; means to interrupt. the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion for a predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned rst and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball; means to move the ball from said third position to a fourth position through a predetermined second path transverse -to said first path; means to invert the ball while moving through said second path to cause distribution of coating liquid; and means to rotate said ball rapidly to cause drying of the coating liquid thereon.

8. In a machine for recoating `us'ed golf balls by a dipping operation the combination of a container adapted to hold coating liquid to a prede termined depth therein; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion through apredetermined rst path in a vertical plane from a rst position wherev it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface; means to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion for a predetermined period' of time at a second position intermediate the above mentioned first and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball; means to move the ball from said third position to a fourth position through a predetermined second path transverse to said first path; means to invert the ball while moving through said second path to cause distribution of coating liquid; and means to rotate said ball rapidly to cause drying of the coating liquid thereon; said means to invert and rotate the ball comprising a pair of levers slidably mounted for combined translatory and oscillatory movement in a horizontal plane transverse to the plane of movement of the conveyor arm the oscillatory movement of the levers being in opposite'angular directions, pulleys mounted to freely rotate on adjacent ends of the oscillatory levers, ball gripping prongs on each pulley, a bushing on one pulley, a barto engage said bushing to cause an inversion of said pulley and ball to distribute lacquer thereon, and means to rapidly rotate4 said pulley and ball to dry the lacquer thereon.'

' 9. The method of recoating used golf balls by employing a liquid containing volatile solvent which comprises immersing the ball beneath the surface of a. pool of said liquid, raising the ball in an upward movement substantially in a vertical plane to a predetermined position above said surface, interrupting said upward movementand maintaining said ball in said position for a precumulated at the bottom thereof to ow down and cause uniform distribution of liquid on said ball, and thereafter rapidly rotating said ball to cause drying of the coating thereon by evaporation of said volatile solvent.

10. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping, draining and drying operation the combination'of a container adapted to hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; 'a conveyor arm. having a ball supporting end portion mounted for movement in avertical. plane; ball delivering mechanism having a ball delivering opening containing the plane of movement of the conveyor arm; means to move said end portion through a predetermined path in a vertical plane from a first position where it is b eneath the surface of the lacquer'in the container to a third position Where itis above said surface A and directly beneath the delivery opening of the ball delivery mechanism and to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion for a predetermined period of 'time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned rst and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball and to return said conveyor.

arm end portion from said third position to said first position, the said means comprising a rocker lever pivotally mounted at a point intermediate the ends and nearer one end than the other thereof for oscillation in a vertical plane and having a long arm and-a short arm, a substantially vertical lever having vertically spaced notches, means connecting tlre long arm of the rocker lever to the conveyor arm, means to engage the short arm of the rocker lever successively with a respective notch on the said vertical lever` to hold the rocker lever and ball conveyor arm in said respective second and third positions for predetermined intervals, and means to release the rocker arm from engagement with said vertical lever to return said ball, conveyor end portion from said third position tosa'id iirst position.

11. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping, draining and drying operation the combination of a container adapted to hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; ball delivering .mechanism having a ball delivering opening; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion for receiving the ball from the ball delivering mechanism at a predetermined position in respect to the conveyor and for maintaining the ball in that position during the coating operation; means to move said end portion through a predetermined path in a vertical plane from a first position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container `to a third position where it is above said surface land directly beneath the delivery opening of the ball delivering mechanism and to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion for a predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned first and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball; the said means toV move the ball conveying end portion 4into the said respective positions comprising a pair of elements angularly spaced about a common axis and mounted to rotate in a vertical plane, a rocker lever pivotally mounted at a point intermediate the ends thereof determined period of time to permit draining off of excess liquid whereby liquid not only drains*- oif said ball but also accumulates at the bottom thereof, inverting said ball to cause the liquid acoperation;

.for oscillation in a vertical plane, means connecting one end of the rocker lever to the conveyor arm, and means at the other end of the rocker arm to successively engage said pair of angularly s'paced elements.-

12. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by ardipping, draining and drying operation the combination of a container adapted to holdcoating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having ai ball supporting end portion mounted for movement in a vertical plane; ball delivering mechanism having a ball delivering opening containing the plane of movement of the conveyor arm; means to move said end portion through a predetermined path in a vertical plane from a first position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface and directly beneath the delivery opening of the ball delivery mechanism and to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said end portion for a predetermined'period of time at a second posi- L tion above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned first and third positions to per- 'mitdraining of lacquer from said ball.

- end portion for receiving the ball from the ball delivering mechanism at a predetermined position in respect to the conveyor and for maintaining the ball in that position during the dipping means to move said end portion through a predetermined path in a vertical plane from a rst position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface and directly beneath the delivery opening of the ball delivering mechanism and to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said end portion for a predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned first and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball.

14. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping and drying operation the combination of a container adapted to hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; ball delivery mechanism having a ball delivering opening; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion for receiving the ball from the ball delivering mechanism at a predetermined position in respect to said conveyor; means to move said end portion through' a predetermined. path in a vertical plane from a rst position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface and directly beneath the delivery opening of the ball delivering mechanism while maintaining the ball at said predetermined position in respect to said conveyor and to interrupt the upward movement of said end portion throughsaid path and to maintain said end portion for a predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and` intermediate the above mentioned rst and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said-ball priorto dry-f4 ing the same.

ball delivering mechanism having a ball delivering opening the center of said opening lying in a vertical plane; a lacquer container located subjacent to said ball delivering mechanism and having an opening containing said plane; means to drop a ball from said ball delivering mechanism into said lacquer container through a vertical path identified by a vertical line lying within said vertical plane; and means to raise said ball out of said container through the said vertical path.

16. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping and drying operation ball delivering mechanism having a ball delivering opening the center of said opening lying in a vertical plane;

" a lacquer container located subjacent to said ball delivering mechanism and having an opening containing said plane; means to successively drop a ball from said ball delivering mechanism into said lacquer container through a vertical path identified by a vertical line lying within said plane; means to raise said ball out of saidl container through the said vertical path; and means to remove the ball from said path to permit a succeeding ball to drop through the same path.

17. In a machine for recoating used golf balls a lacquer container having an opening the center of which opening lies in a vertical plane; baJl delivering mechanism comprising a circular rotatably mounted magazine having a series of circumferentially spaced ball delivering openings therein; means to successively advance an opening until the center thereof lies in the said ver- A tical plane contained Within the opening in the lacquer container; means to successively drop a ball from an opening of said ball delivering mechanism into said lacquer container through a verticalpath identified by a vertical line lying within the said plane; ball-raising means to raise said ball out of said container through the said vertical path; ball removing means to remove that ball from said path to permit a succeeding ball to drop from the ball delivering mechanism` through the same path; and means to cause said ball-raising, ball-removing and ball-delivering means to act in consonance.

18. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by'a dipping, draining and drying operation the combination of a container adapted to hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion through a predetermined path in a vertical plane from a rst position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where itis above said surface and to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion for a predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned ilrst and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball; and means to return said conveyor arm end portion from said third position to said rst position the said several means comprising a rocker lever pivotally `mounted at a point intermediate the ends and nearer one end than the other thereof for oscillation in a vertical plane andv having a long lever arm and a short lever arm, means connecting the long arm of the rocker lever to the ball conveyor to raise the conveyor end portion upon elevation of the said long arm, a pair of elements rotatably mounted and angularly spaced for engagement at predetermined times with the short arm of the rocker lever to depress the same and to elevate the said -long arm and thereby successively move said conveyor end portion into said second and third positions, means cooperating with said rotatably mounted elements to lock said short lever arm and thereby to hold said long arm and conveyor in said second and third positions for predetermined intervals, and means to release said short lever arm to return said ball conveyor end portion from said third position to said first position.

19. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping, draining and drying operation the combination of a container adapted to hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion through a predetermined path in a vertical plane from afrst position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface and to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion for a predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned rst and third positionsto permit draining of lacquer from said ball; and means to return said conveyor arm end portion from said third position to said rst position the said several means comprising a rocker lever pivotally mounted at a point intermediate the ends and nearer one end than the other thereof for oscillation in a vertical plane and having a long lever arm and a. short lever arm, means connecting ,the long arm of the rocker lever to the ball conveyor to raise the conveyor end portion upon elevation of the said long arm, a pair of elements rotatably mounted and angularly spaced for engagement at predetermined times with the short arm of the rocker lever to depress the same and to elevate the said long arm and thereby successively move said conveyor end portion to said second and third positions, means cooperating with said rotatably mounted elements to lock said short lever arm and thereby to hold said long arm and conveyor in said second and third positions comprising a pivotally mounted vertical lever having means to successively engage said short lever arm, and means to release said short lever arm to return said ball conveyor end portion from said third position to said rst position.

20. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping, draining and drying operation the combination of a container adapted to hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion through a predetermined path in a vertical plane from a rst position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface and to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion for a predetermined period of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned rst and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said-ball; and means to return said conveyor arm end portion from said third position to said rst position, the said several means comprising a rocker lever pivotally mounted at a point intermediate the ends and nearer one end than the other thereof for oscillation in a vertical plane and having a long lever arm and a short lever arm, means connecting the long arm of the rocker lever to the ball conveyor to raise the conveyor end portion upon elc- 75 vation ofthe said long arm, a pair of elements ,rotatably mounted and angularly spaced for engagement at predetermined times with the short' arm of the rocker lever to depress the same and to elevate the said long arm and thereby successively move said conveyor end portion into said second and third positions, means cooperating with said rotatably mounted elements to lock said short lever arm and thereby to hold said long arm and conveyor in said second and third positions comprising a pivotally mounted vertical lever having means to successively engage said short lever arm, and means to release said short lever varm to return said ball conveyor end portion from said third position to said first position comprising an element rotatably mounted to move said vertical lever out of engagement with said short lever arm after movement of said conveyor end portion into said third position.

21. In a'machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping, draining and drying operation the combination substantially as shown of a contain- 'er adapted to hold coating liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a conveyor arm having `a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion and a ball carried thereby through a predetermined rst path in a' Vertical plane from a iirst positionrwhere it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface and'to intel*- rupt the. movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion 'for a predetermined period of time at a second position i above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned firstfand third positions, togpermit draining of lacquer from said ball; means to remove the ball from said conveyor end portion in said third position to a fourth position through a predetermined second path transverse to said iirst path; means to invert the ball 'while movving through said second path to cause distribution of coating liquid; means to deliver another .ball to said conveyor end portion; and means to cause said several means to act in consonance to -dip and drain the ballfprior to drying thereof.

" 22. In' a machine for recoating Aused g'olf balls by a dipping, combination ofa container adapted to holdcoating liquid to a predetermined'depth therein; a

conveyor arm having a -ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion-and a ball carried thereby throu'ghf a predetermined rst `path in a vertical plane from a'first position where )of said end portion through said path andto. y maintain' said portion for al predetermined period it is beneath the surface of theslacquer in the container to a third position where it is above said surface; means to'interrupt'the movement of time at a second position above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned rst and 'third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball; means to move the ball fromsaid third position to a fourth position through a'predetermined second path transverse to said rst path ycomprising a pair' of pivotally mounted levers slidably vmounted for conjoint movement in said transverse path;v and means \to invert the ball while moving through said second path to cause distribution of coating liquid.

23. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a? dipping, draining and drying operation the combination of a container adapted to hold coatmg liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a.

' conveyor arm having a ball'supporting end p'or-` tion; means to move saidend portion and a ball draining and drying operation the carried thereby through a predetermined rst path in a vertical plane from a iirstV station where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to athird station where it is above said surface and to interrupt the movement of said end portion through said path and to maintain said portion for a predetermined period of time at a second station above said surface and intermediate the above mentioned first and third positions to permit draining of lacquer from said ball; means to remove the ball from said conveyor end portion in saidthird station to a fourth station, where it is dried, through apredetermined second path transverse to said rst path; and means to invert the ball while moving through said second path to cause distribution of coating liquid prior to drying.

2.4. In a machine for by a dipping, draining and drying operation the combination of a container adapted to hold coat-- ing liquid to a predetermined depth therein; a,

recoating used golf balls conveyor arm having a ball supporting end portion; means to move said end portion through a predetermined first path in a vertical plane from a rst position where it is beneath the surface of the lacquer in the container to a third'posi- .tion where it is above said surface and to interrupt the movementA of said'end portion lthrough said path and to maintain said'p'ortion for a p'redetermined period of time at af second position above said surface vand intermediate the above mentioned first. and third positions to permit' -draining of lacquer'from said ball; means to move the ball from said thirdposition to a fourth position through a predetermined second path transverse to said first path; means to,invert the ball while moving through said second path to cause distribution of coating liquid; andmeans to rotion to cause drying of the coating lliquid therein consonance todip, drain and dry a ball; the said severalmeans comprising a main shaft,'a rocker lever pivotally mounted at a point inter-- mediate the endsthereof and nearer one end than the other and-having, a long arm and a short arm the long arm being connected to said conveyor arm, a pair of elements angularly disposed about the axis of said shaft, lmeans to successively engage said elements with the -sh'ortarm of i said `rockerarm to actuatesaid conveyor, a pair of 'pivotally mounted levers slidably mounted for conjoint movement through the above mentioned transverse path,a cam on said main shaft to l operate said levers in consonancejwith the movement of said angularly disposed elementsand conveyor arm, grippingjaws rotatably mounted b .on said levers, a pulley mounted o n said gripping jaws and operatively arranged to rotate said jaws in one extreme position of their'transverse movement, asecondary shaft operatively connected to said main shaft, a pulley on said secondary shaft,

and means-to operate said main shaft, cam and angularly disposed elements'- to ,move a ball through theabove mentioned paths to dip and drain the ball vand to bring the pulley mounted on the gripping jaws in contact with the pulley mounted lon said secondary shaft to rotate the 'ball rapidly, subsequent to ,the draining operation, to dry the ball..

25. In a vmachine for coating golfballs by a dipping operation-. ball coating mechanism iny cluding a. lacquer container, ball delivering mechanism and a conveyor, said conveyor being lo- 1 catedin spaced relation to the ball delivering mechanism, said ball delivering mechanism including means for delivering the ball to the conveyor by gravity, said conveyor including means for receiving the ball from the ball delivering mechanism at a predetermined position in respect to the conveyor and for maintaining the ball in that position during the coating operation, and means for effecting movement of the conveyor and the ball in a vertical plane contained in the lacquer container to dip the ball on the conveyo into the lacquer in the container. 1

26. In a machine for reco-ating used golf balls by a dipping operation, ball coating mechanism including a lacquer container, ball delivering mechanism and a conveyor, said conveyor being located in spaced relation to the ball delivering mechanism, said mechanism including means for dropping the ball on to the conveyor, said conveyor including means for receiving the ball from the ball delivering mechanism at a predetermined position in respect to the conveyor and for maintaining the ball in that position during the coating operation, and means for effecting movement of the conveyor and the ball in a vertical plane contained in the lacquer container to dip the ball on the conveyor into the lacquer in the container.

27. In a machine for recoating used golf balls bya dipping operation, the combination comprising ball coating mechanism including a lacquer container, ball delivering mechanism and a conveyor, said ball delivering mechanism including means to deliver a ball at a predetermined time to said conveyor by a downward movement of the ball,l said conveyor including means for receiving the ball from the ball delivering mechanism at the above mentioned predetermined time and at a predetermined position in respect to the conveyor and for maintaining the ballin that position during the coating operation.

28. In a machinefor recoating used goli` balls by a dipping operation, the combination comprising ball coating mechanism including a lacquer container, ball delivering mechanism and a conveyor, said ball delivering mechanism including means to deliver a ball at a predetermined time to said conveyor by a downward movement of the ball, said conveyor being located subjacent to the ball delivering mechanism and including means for receiving the ball from the ball deliveri ing mechanism at the above mentioned predetermined time and at a predetermined position in respect to the conveyor and for maintaining the ball in that position during the coating operation.

.29. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping operation, the combination comprising ball coating mechanism including a lacquer container, ball delivering mechanism and a conveyor, saidA ball delivering mechanism including means to drop a ball at a predetermined time on to said conveyor, said conveyor being located subjacent to the ball delivering mechanism andincluding means for receiving the ball from the ball delivering mechanism at the above mentioned predetermined time and at a predetermined position in respect to the conveyor and for maintaining the ball in that position during the coating operation.

30. In a machine for recoating used golf balls by a dipping operation, the combination comprising ball coating mechanism including a lacquer container, ball delivering mechanism and a conveyor, said ball delivering mechanism comprising means to deliver a ball at a predetermined time to said conveyor by a downward movement of the ball including a rotatably mounted disc having an opening therethrough, said conveyor being located subjacent to the ball delivering mechanism and including means for receiving the ball from the ball delivering mechanism at the above mentioned predetermined time and at a predetermined position in respect to the conveyor and for maintaining the ball in that position during the coating operation.

31. In a machine for coating articles with a lacquer, the combination comprising means for coating an article with a lacquer, including a conveyor for the articles to be lacquered, means for delivering articles to said lacquering means including a delivery chute for dropping articles dispensed by the delivery means on to the conveyor of the lacquering means and control means for said delivery means including several control elements each operative to eect partial operation of the delivery means, means for eiecting successive operation of said control elements, and means for actuating one of said control elements in accordance with the operation of the article conveyor.

32. In a machine for coating the entire surface of articles with lacquer, the combination comprising a lacquer container, a movable cover for the lacquer container, a conveyor arm for supporting the article to be lacquered, means for delivering an article on to the conveyor, means for moving the conveyor substantially vertically in aplane containing the lacquer container to immerse the article in the lacquer and remove the article from the lacquer, means for moving the cover of the lacquer container to open the lacquer container, and means for coordinating the lacquer container cover-moving means and the means for eilecting vertical movement of the conveyor.

33. In a machine for coating golf balls by a dipping operation, ball coating mechanism including a lacquer container, ball delivering mechanism and a conveyor, said conveyor being located in spaced relation to the ball delivering mechanism, said ball delivering mechanism including means for delivering the ball to the conveyor by gravity, said conveyor including means for receiving the ball from the ball delivering mechanism at a predetermined position in respect to the conveyor and for maintaining the ball in that position during the coating operation, and means for eiecting movement of the conveyor and the ball in a vertical plane contained in the lacquer container to dip the ball on the conveyor into the lacquer in the container and to raise the ball on the conveyor out of the lacquer; means to harden the coating on the ball after it is raised out of the lacquer and means to remove excess lacquer from the ball before subjecting the ball to the lacquer-hardening'step and after raising the ball out of the lacquer in the container.

34. In a machine for coating golf balls by a dipping operation, ball coating mechanism including a. lacquer container, ball delivering mechanism and a conveyor, said conveyor being located in spaced relation to the ball delivering mechanism, said ball delivering mechanism including means for delivering the ball to the conveyor by gravity, said conveyor including means for receiving the ball from the ball delivering mechanism at a predetermined position in respect to the conveyor and for maintaining .the ball in that position,during the coating operation, and means for effecting movement of the conveyor and the ball in a vertical plane contained in the lacquer container to dip the ball 

